University of Wisconsin [Madison]
This is an EXPIRED job listing. Do not apply for this position!
Project Summary
This community-based research will examine the effects of environmental and social factors on physical activity, fitness, and health of Hispanic middle school children living in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A primary goal of this research is to guide future interventions, including changes in public policy, to improve the health of children in underserved communities. An extensive GIS database will be assembled to accomplish three key objectives: 1) assess the built environment’s suitability for outdoor physical activity, and for children’s actual physical activity and energy expenditure within those environments; 2) assess the impact of children’s social environment on movement and nutrition choices within the built environment; 3) assess the impact of children’s physical and social environments on their fitness and metabolic health. This multidisciplinary collaboration involves faculty, staff, and students from several units on campus.
Minimum Qualifications
- Current Master’s or PhD student in geography, urban and regional planning, civil engineering, environmental studies, or related field.
- Experience with ArcGIS 10 and completion of at least 1 of the following courses or equivalent GEOG 360, GEOG 377, or ENV ST 462.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team setting to meet project schedules.
- Strong communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with data collection, relational database management, spatial analysis, mapping mash-ups.
- Interest in the built and social environments and their effects on public health.
- Gather existing GIS data (e.g., City of Milwaukee streets, sidewalks, parks and open space, air quality). Assist in the collection of new environmental spatial data (e.g., locations of food stores and community recreational facilities, neighborhood walkability and greenness, traffic noise levels).
- Assemble all acquired GIS data into a consistent geodatabase; conduct spatial and non-spatial data queries; generate derived measures. Generate reports, maps, diagrams, exhibits, and displays.
- Provide other GIS support as needed.
Terms of Appointment
- Preferred starting date is September 8, 2010 (or as soon as possible after that date).
- 33% (13.3 hours per week), 9-month Project Assistantship for the 2010-11 academic year and, potentially, full time (40 hours per week) during summer 2011.
- Includes stipend, fringe benefits, and tuition remission.
How to Apply
- Send PDFs of cover letter and resume to Professor Jim LaGro, Department of Urban and Regional Planning at: jalagro@wisc.edu.
- Closing date for application consideration is September 1, 2010.